Elevator



W. E. CHENEY Aug. 20. 1940.

ELEVATOR Filed Oct. 21, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVLN'TOR ATTORNLTE) ELEVATOR Filed Obt. 21, 1937 3 Shoots-Sheet 2 Walla. E-Chzms INVLN'TOR I h 14/ J8 14 if 11 1/; M 5T gnu-ml Mm.

Aug. 20, 1940.

w. E. CHENEY 2,212,388

ELEVATOR Filed Oct. 21, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVLNTOK AT To R NET5 Patented Aug. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 21,

33 Claims.

My invention relates to elevators. More particularly my invention relates to elevators of the type in which a car runs along inclined rail means for at least a part of its travel, and the principal object of my invention is the improvement of apparatus of these types.

A more specific object of my invention is the provision of an elevator which is adapted for use with stairs in general, and, more particularly, which may be utilized with stairs comprising more than one flight, and whether the flights extend in the same direction or not.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an elevator in which the rail means may have different inclinations, and more particularly for use with stairs having difierent slopes.

Other objects will appear hereinafter as the description of the invention proceeds.

The novel features of the invention will appear from this specification and the accompanying drawings, showing one embodiment of the invention, and forming a part thereof, and all these novel features are intended to be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan View of an elevator embodying my invention, associated with a quarter turn stairway,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side view of an elevator car embodying my invention, partly in elevation and partly in section, and showing the car in cooperative relation with railmeans for supporting it,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of a detail, partly in section,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of a chair such as may be used with and as part of the chairshown in Figure 4,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary front view of the elevator car, partly in section and partly in elevation, parts being broken away to permit a View of the inside and rear portions of the car, along with inclined rail means, fragmentarily shown, for supporting the car,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detailed view of a portion of the driving mechanism for the car,

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the principle of operation of an electric supply means for the car,

Figures 10 and 11 are detail views of a brake 1937, Serial No. 170,151

mechanism, Figure 11 being a section taken on the line ii--li of Figure 10, and

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of control circuits which may be used for controlling the current supply to the motor on the car.

Referring first to Figures 1, 2, and 3, the elevator is here shown as supported by two flights of stairs, 253, 2!, making a quarter turn with respect to each other, the first flight, 2D, rising from a first floor level, 22, in a series of stairs to the tread 23, and the second flight, 2i, rising from a tread 26 in a series of stairs to the second floor level 25. The two treads 23, 2 5 having generally triangular form and the dividing line, 26, between them is approximately at 45 with respect to the direction of the two flights of stairs 20, 2|. As the description of the invention proceeds it will be apparent that the purpose of illustrating a quarter turn stairway is merely to bring out ,the adaptability of my invention. As far as quarter turn Stairways are concerned it will furthermore be apparent that the junction between the flights may be a platform or landing instead of two treads 23, 24.

For supporting an elevator car 21 rail means 28 is provided, this rail means comprising a first portion 29 rising from the level of the floor, 22, at an angle corresponding substantially to the slope of the first flight of stairs, 20, to the general level of the treads 23, 24. At this general level the rail means 28 continues as a horizontal arcuate portion 38, making a 90 turn, and then the rail means has an inclined portion 3|, rising from the end of the arcuate portion 30 up along the second flight of stairs, 2i, at an inclination corresponding substantially to the slope of the second flight. The second inclined portion, 3!, of the rail means is joined to a horizontal portion 32 at the level of the second floor 25.

The elevator car is shown in full lines in Figures 1 and 2 and in the position it assumes on the horizontal portion 32 of the rail means 28 at the level of the second floor. The car is also indicated by the fragmentary dotted outlines, 21a, in Figures 1 and 3 in the position it assumes on the inclined portion 29 of the rail means, at the level of the first floor 22.

The rail means, in all its portions, includes rail means in the form of I-beam means 33, which, if desired, may be of fabricated form, (as shown most clearly in Figure 4), as distinguished from the integral form, and this I-beam means serves to carry the principal weight of the elevator car. The rail means also includes guide rail means 34,

supporting clamps are provided.

here shown as a generally channel shaped member, which may be mounted and suitably fastened directly on top of the I-beam means 33, where the rail means as a whole is inclined, as in the inclined portions 29, 3|, and which is supported a predetermined distance above the top of the I- beam means, by pedestal brackets 35 where the rail means as a whole is horizontal, as in the portions 38 and 32.

For securing the rail means 28 to the stairs, Where the rail means 28 is horizontal and close to a tread, a landing, or a floor, flat clamps 38 are provided; and where the rail means 28 is inclined, clamps 31, which may be termed pedestal clamps are provided. Pedestal clamps 31 are also used where the rail means is horizontal and is also a considerable distance above a tread or landing, as is the case with the clamps 31a in Figure 3. The clamps will be hereinafter further referred to and described, and the manner of their use will appear as the description of the invention proceeds.

Referring now to Figure 4, the elevator car 21 is here shown with respect to the rail means as it appears in the position shown in Figures '1 and 2, at the upper limit of its travel, and as viewed from the left side of Figure 2, looking toward the right, certain parts being broken away and others in section, for the sake of clearness. The car comprises an elongated box-like frame 38 comprising a rear channel shaped plate 39 having flanges 38, fill connected by a web 42; and a front channel shaped plate 83, having flanges M, 45 connected by a web 48. Spanning the flanges 40, 48 and fastened thereto'by screws 41 is a side plate 88. The flanges ll, 45 are likewise spanned by another side plate 49 (see Figure 7). The side plates 88, 48 extend from the top of the channel plates 38, 43 downwardly to somewhat above a transversely extending channel 50. The purpose of the channel 50 will appear hereinafter. The top of "the box-like frame 38 may be closed by means of'ka plate 5| bolted to the channel plates by bolts 52.

Extending transversely across the inside of the box-like frame 38 is a motor supporting. plate 53, here shown as fastened to the channel plates 39, 43 by bolts 54. A motor 55 rests on the top of the supporting plate 53 and is fastened thereto by bolts 56. The lower motor bearing 5! extends through an aperture in the supporting plate 53, and the motor shaft 58 carries a pulley or driving sheave 59, here shown as provided with'a plurality of grooves adapted to receive a plurality of bells 68. The belts cooperate with grooves in a larger, driven sheave, 6!, which is keyed to a shaft 62 having an upper bearing 33 suitably fastened to the supporting plate 53. The lower end of the shaft 82 has keyed thereto a worm 84; and bearings 65, 68, mounted in a housing 6? are provided for the shaft 62 at opposite ends of the worm 68 (see also Figure 8). The housing 61 is suitably fastened in any desired way to the channel plate 43. A worm wheel 69 cooperates with the worm G4, and rotatable in unison with the worm wheel 69 is a gear wheel 10, desirably of the stub tooth type, which is disposed outside of the housing 61, and is adapthousing 61.

the rack H to prevent lateral movement as between the gear wheel 10 and the rack H. The rack H forms a part of the rail means 28 for supporting the car 21 and extends the entire length of travel of the car along the rail means, and is here shown as mounted on, and fastened in any suitable manner, to the inside surface of a flange M of the I-beam means 33.

- The I-beam means 33 is here shown as of fabricated construction, comprising a generally Z- shaped member 15 having a web 16 to which angle bars l7, l8 suitably fastened thereto form the I-beam means 33.

A grooved wheel 19 (see also Figure 7) is rotatably mounted on a shaft-8'8 held in a supporting block 8| which is in turn suitably supported by the channel plate 39. The axis of the .grooved wheel 79 is in alinement with the axis of .the gear wheel 18. The grooved wheel 19 is adapted to cooperate with a rail 82, hereshown as formed by. a downwardly extending integral flange on a flange 83 of the I-beam means 33. The construction'and arrangement is such-that the bottom of the groove of the; wheel 19 rides on the rail 82, and the sides of the groove limit lateral movement as between the wheel 19 and the rail 82. a e

In the position of the car shown in Figure 4 the guide rail means 38 is supported at a predetermined distance above the I-beam means 33, by brackets 35, one of which is indicated in Figure 4. The upper flange of the channel constituting the guide rail means 38 is here shown as being in the form of a trough having inclined sides 85. 86.

In order to maintain the longitudinal axis of the frame 38 of the car vertical, and accordingly the top plate 5| horizontal, roller means is provided cooperable with the guide rail means 34. In the illustrated embodiment the roller means, by reason of the form of the guide rail means or channel 38, may comprise a single roller 88 r0- tatably mounted on a shaft 8'! which is carried by a block 88 suitably fastened to the supporting channel 58. The roller 83 is adapted to roll in the bottom of the inverted trough formed by the inside surface of the upper flange of the channel 34 and by the inclined sides 85, 88, or may roll on the inside surface of the lower flange of'the channel 34.

The supporting channel 58 bears against the margins of the flanges 48, 8! of the channel plate 39, and is held in position by means here shown as two U-bolts 89, 98, the bights of which straddle the channel 58 and the legs of which extend through apertures in the web .42 of the channel plate 38. Nuts 9| on the U-bolts 89, 88, serve to draw the channel 58 against the margins of the flanges 48, 4! of the channel plate 38. will be evident that while the supporting channel 58 is held tightly in position, it is also easily adjustable, by loosening of the nuts 9|, in adimotion-longitudinally of its length. It will be evident that the roller 84 prevents tilting of the car 21 in the plane of the rail means, whether the car is on a horizontal or inclined portion of the rail means, and that the roller 84 will roll either on the upper inside surface of the guide rail means 38 or on the lower inside-surface of the guide rail means,' depending on the direction of force tending to tilt the car. In certain situations it is desirable to relieve the roller 84 of at least a part of its duty, as'will now appear.

In-order to prevent any binding action which,

might be caused by reason of the forces on the gear 18 propelling the roller 84 toward the left,

as viewed in Figure 2, leveling roller means is provided, which comes into action when the car is on a horizontal portion of the rail means 28.

This leveling means is here shown as a roller 94. The block 96 is resiliently mounted or made of resilient material and its upper face is adapted to engage the lower flange of the supporting channel 50. The construction and arrangement of the leveling roller means is such that when the car reaches a position in which the rail means is horizontal, the roller 92 rolls on top of the guide rail means 34 and serves to prevent tilting of the car in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2, thereby decreasing or eliminating any force tending to move the roller 84 upwardly, thereby avoiding any binding action. It will be apparent that making the block resilient makes it unnecessary to'position the axis of the leveling roller 92 with the highest accuracy. In places in the rail means 28 where there is a change in direction from an inclined portion to a horizontal portion, an auxiliary rail 98 is provided, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is conveniently provided by a Z-bar 99, (or 99a), one leg of which is suitably fastened to the top of the I-beam means 33 and the other leg of which serves as a track or rail 98 for a roller I00, rotatable on a shaft IOI carried by a block I07. fastened, as by screws I03, to the flange 50 of the channel plate 39. The roller I appears in Figures 2 and 7, but while cut away in Figure 4, its relative position with respect to the Z-bar 99 is shown in dot and dash lines. The purpose of the roller I00 and the auxiliary rail 98 will appear in connection with the description of the operation of the elevator.

One of the flat clamps 36 is shown in Figure 4, and as comprising a plate I04 having a hook portion I05 at one end providing a recess in which the margin of the flange '74 of the I-beam means 33 is disposed; along with a clamping plate I06 which may be set down tightly by means of bolts I08 on an opposite flange, I09, of the I- beam means.

One of the pedestal clamps 31 is shown in Figure 5 and comprises a pair of clamping elements H0, III, the upper ends of which are provided wth transverse recesses I I2 in which the lateral margins of the flanges I l, I09 of the I-beam means are adapted to be disposed. Each of the clamp elements i I0, III is provided with a boss H3 having a generally conical surface cooperable respectively with generally conical recesses I I I in a supporting pivot block II 5. The generally conical bosses II3 of the clamp elements are tightly held in the generally conical recesses H4 by means of a bolt H6 and nut Hi, the shank of the bolt extending through slightly conical apertures H8 in the respective clamp elements H0, III. The pivot block H5 is fastened in any suitable manner to a steel plate II9 which may be fastened against the riser of a stair by means of screws passing through a desired number of apertures I20 in the steel plate. In cases where the plate H9 is mounted against the riser of a stair, it is desirable, but not essential, that the lower margin of the steel plate I I9 rest on the subjacent tread.

It will be evident that the bolt H6 serves the purpose of tightly drawing the conical bosses H3 into the conical recesses H4 and clamping the walls of the recesses II2 tightly against the margins of the flanges 14, I09 of the I-beam means, and that the conical bosses and recesses take shearing stresses, resulting from the weight of the car on the rail means 28, transmitted through the I-beam means 33 to the clamps, and that the bolt H6 does not take those shearing stresses.

It will be apparent that the pedestal clamps 31 may be readily applied to the'I-beam means 33 at any point along its length, the pedestal clamps always extending at right angles to'the lower'surface of the I-beams, irrespective of the plane of the steel plate I I9;-and that where it is desired or necessary the pedestal clamps 31 may be used in the vertical position, as for example the clamps 31a in Figure 3, the steel plate H9 being 'in this instance horizontal and flat on the tread 23.

The elevator may be applied to stairs of substantially any slope'by reason of the construction and arrangement of the parts. It may be stated that the product of the tread dimension times the riser height of a stair approximates the number '72. This product may vary from 65 to 80. I have found that by making the distance between the aperture H8 and the recess H2 in a pedestal clamp element, four and one-half inches, and the distance between the aperture H8 and that face of the plate II9 which bears against a riser (or tread) two and one-quarter inches, the pedestal clamps 31 may be standardized so that the same clamps may be used with substantially any stairway, no matter what its slope may be as varied by the particular tread and riser dimension, where the product of the tread dimension and riser height is within the accepted and customarily practiced limits.

The adjustment of the channel 50 will depend on the inclination of the rail means 28 and it will be apparent that to adjust the car to a vertical position, to adapt it for use with rail means having an inclination different from that shown in Figure 7, for example, it is only necessary to loosen the U-bolts 89, 90 and shift the channel 50 in the proper direction.

One way in which current may be led to the electric motor 55 is shown in the illustrated embodiment and comprises a rotatable drum I2I, carried by the frame 38 of the car, on which an electric flexible cable I22 is adapted to be wound. In Figure 3 the free end of the cable I22 is shown as passing over a pulley I23 and as having fastened thereto a spring I24 held in any suitable way to a fixed support. The free end of the cable I22 is electrically connected to a source of power, through control means, as will appear hereinafter.

In the illustrated embodiment the cable comprises three independent conductors I25, I26, I21 (see Figure 12) and the drum ends of these conductors are connected to three separate spring pressed brushes I28, I29, I30 (Figure 12). One of the brushes, I30, may be seen in Figure 4. These brushes, I28, I29, I 30, are so constructed and arranged.that they respectively cooperate slidably with three conductor rings I3I, I32, I33, suitably fastened to an insulating plate I 34 fixedly mounted on a boss I35 which is in turn fixedly mounted in any suitable way, as by screws, on the web 42 of the channel plate 39. The boss I35 fixedly carries a shaft I36 on which the hub I31 of the drum is journaled, the drum being held in place for rotation on the shaft I36 by means of a washer I38 and screw I39.

Connected to and leading from the rings I3I, I32, I33, through an aperture 2I8 in the web 42 of the channel plate 39 is an electric cable I48 (see Figure 1). This cable comprises three conductors I4I, I42, I43, (Figure 12), connected respectively to the rings I3I, I32, I33. The conductors I42, I43 are connected to the motor 55, as will further appear.

The cable drum I2I comprises also an auxiliary drum I44 which is adapted to have wound thereon a steel cable I45. The drum-end of the steel cable I45 is suitably mechanically fastened to the auxiliary drum I44, and the free end of the steel cable may, if desired, also extend over a pulley, I 46, as shown in Figure 9; the pulley I46 being in this instance disposed at the second floor end of the elevator. If desired, the free end of the steel cable I45 may be anchored to some relatively fixed point through the intermediation of a spring, I41, just as the free end of the electric cable I22 is anchored. It is however to be understood that either the free end of the steel cable I45 may be fastened to a spring, or the free end of the electric cable I22, or both may be so fastened. In other words, it is not always necessary that there be a spring at the free ends of both the electric cable and the steel cable. I

From the diagram of Figure 9 is will be evident that the electric cable I22 and the steel cable I45 are wound in opposite directions on the main drum I2I and the auxiliary drum I44 respectively. so that as the electric cable unwinds from the main drum the steel cable will wind onto the auxiliary drum.

In such an installation as illustrated in Figure 1. a plate or projection I'48 may be provided on the rail means 28, so as to prevent the electric cable or the steel cable, as the case may be, from sliding over the top of the rail means.

Here shown as mounted on top of the box-like frame 38 of the car is a chair comprising a seat I49 swingable about hinges I58 at the rear of the frame. Rubber bumpers II, fastened to the underside of the seat, rest on the top plate 5! of the frame, in the position of the parts shown in Figures 4 and 6. The chair is provided with a back I52 carried by side supports I53 in any suitable way; and, swingable about pivots I54 carried by the side supports, are arm rests I55. Two pivoted links I56 join the seat I49 and the respective arm rests I55. A foot rest I51 is pro- ,vided, carried by a pair of levers I58 swingable about pivots I59 fastened to the flanges 44, 45 of the channel plate 43. Links I69 have pivotal connection with the foot rest I51 at pivots I6I, and are here shown as pivoted to pivots I62 carried by the seat I49. The construction and arrangement of the parts is such that when the seat I49 is swung about its hinges I58, the arm rests I55 will swing about their pivots I54, and the foot rest I51 will swing about its pivots I59, and, furthermore, when the parts are sufiiciently swung counterclockwise, as viewed in Figures 4 and 6, the pivots I6I will be beyond the line joining the pivots I59, I62, in a counterclockwise direction, and accordingly, the parts will all be maintained in a raised position, thereby removing them from the path provided by the stairs, when the elevator car is not in use.

A push button I63 ishere shown mounted on the underside of one of the arms of the chair, where it may be pressed by a person seated on the chair. f

One way in which the electric motor 55 may be controlled is illustrated in Figure 12. The

motor is here shown as generally of the repulsion type and may be of the type that starts as a repulsion motor and as it approaches synchronous speed the armature is short circuited so that the motor runs as a squirrel cage motor. It will however be apparent that any suitable type of motor may be used. The motor 55 is providedwith a split field winding having the parts I64, I65. The junction of the parts I64, I65 is connected to the conductor I43. The other terminals of the parts I64, I65 are connected respectively to the relatively stationary contacts of a reversing switch I66. The reversing switch I66 has a movable member which is connected to the conductor I42. One of the relatively stationary contacts of the push button I63 is connected to the conductor MI and the other is connected to a conductor I61 in turn connected to the conductor I42. The

cable conductor I21 is connected to an electric supply conductor I68. The cable conductor I26 is connectable, through a relay having a movable switch element I69, to an electric supply conductor I18. The conductor I25 is connected to one terminal of the secondary of a transformer I1I. The other terminal of the secondary of the transformer MI is connected to one terminal of an operating coil I12 of the relay, and the other terminal of the operating coil is connected to the conductor I26. The transformer has a primary I13 which is connected across the supply conductors I68, I18.

If desired, a plurality of other push buttons I14, I15, located at desired places, may be provided, and these push buttons may have their relatively stationary contacts connected by conductors I16, I11, across the conductors I25, I26.

Particularly where, as in the illustrated embodiment, a repulsion motor is utilized, a brake I18 is provided for the motor, because if a repulsion motor has its connections reversed while still running above a predetermined speed, the motor will continue to operate in the same direction though its connections have been reversed.

The brake I18 here illustrated comprises a disc I19 fixed on the motor shaft (see Figures 4, 7, and and a pair of brake shoes I86, I8I adapted to act on opposite sides of the disc I19, as most clearly seen in Figures 10 and 11. The upper brake shoe, I88, is fixe dly mounted in any suitable way on an inside surface of a leg I82 of a U-shaped frame I83, and the other brake shoe, I8I, is mounted on a movable cam member I84, most clearly seen in Figure 11. The cam surface of the movable cam member I84 is here shown as comprising two intersecting inclined planes cooperable with two intersecting inclined planes formed on a cam block I85 suitably fixed to the lower leg, I86, of the U-shaped frame I83.

The U-shaped frame I83 may be carried in any suitable way, and in this instance it is carried by two bolts I 81, I88 threaded into the supporting plate 53. It will be apparent that when the movable cam member I8I is moved to the left or right, as viewed in Figure 11, from a central position, the brake shoe I8I will be moved upwardly against the lower surface of the disc I19, so that the disc is squeezed between the two brake shoes I66, I8I. The bolts I81, I88 pass freely through apertures in the legs I82, I86 of the U-shaped frame, and consequently the frame I83 is free to slide up and down on the bolts.

' When the parts of the brake mechanism are in the position shown in Figure 11 substantially no braking effect will take place if the disc is r0- tating in such direction that, as viewed in Figure 11, the disc moves toward the left, whereas if it rotates in such direction that it moves toward the right, as viewed in Figure 11, the braking effect will be enhanced, as the movement oi the disc will tend to increase the binding efl'ect of the brake shoes on the disc.

The movable cam member I84 of the brake is here shown as operable by means of a rod I89 pivoted at I90 to a crank I9I fixedly mounted on a rock shaft I92 swingable in one or more journal brackets I93. The rock shaft I92 also fixedly carries a forked crank I94 between the tines of which a longitudinally movable rod I95 (Figure 7) is freely disposed. The rod I95 has two collars I98, I91, fixed thereto on opposite sides of the forked crank I94, and, desirably, a spring I98 surrounding the rod I95 is interposed between the collar I98 and the upper surface of the tines of the forked crank I94, and a spring I99 is interposed between the collar I91 and the lower surface of the tines of the forked crank I94.

The upper end, 200, of the rod I95 is bent at right angles and extends through a slot 20I in the flange of the channel plate 42, and makes pivotal connection with one end of a lever 202 mounted on a pivot 203 carried by the side plate 48. The other end of the lever 202 is extended and so formed and positioned as to provide a handle 204 conveniently manually operable by a person sitting in the chair. The lever 1202 has fixed thereto and extending substantially at right angles thereto in an upward direction, a plate or finger 205 having a part 206 extending at right angles thereto at its upper end, the part 206 being provided with a recess 201 in which is disposed the operating member 208 of the reversing switch.

At its lower end the rod has a clevis 209 fixed thereto, a pivot pin 2I0 passing through the clevis and through an actuating lever 2I I mounted for rotation about a pivot 2I2 here shown as carried by the bearing block 8i. The lever 2II has welded, or otherwise suitably fastened thereto, a U-shaped actuating member 2I3 the ends 2I4, 2I5 of the legs of which are turned at right angles (Figure 4) and extend into the general plane of the wheel 19.

Bumper blocks 2I6 are provided at the limits of travel of the car, each block being carried by a spring 2I1 in turn suitably carried by and fastened to the web 16 of the I-beam means 33. It will be apparent that the wheel 19 will cooperate with the bumper block 2; to resiliently retard the car at the end of its travel, and at the same time, as the car approaches the end of its travel, as viewed for example in Figure 7, the angle end 2I5 of the U-shaped actuating member 2I3 will engage the bumper block 2I6 and as the car moves toward the bumper the lever 2 will be rotated in a clockwise direction thereby lifting the rod I95, resulting in application of the brake I18, and in operation of the reversing switch I66.

. It will of course be evident that the brake I18 and the reversing switch I66 are also operable by means of the handle 204. It will be further apparent that if the car is operated toward the other limit of its travel that, by cooperation with the bumper at the other limit of its travel, the angle end 2I4 of the U-shaped actuating member 2i3 will strike the bumper so as to bring the parts again into the position shown in Figure '7.

The operation of the elevator is as follows. Assuming that the car is at its lowermost limit of travel, shown by the dotted lines in Figure 3,

a person seats himself on the seat I48 and presses the button I63. Pressing of the button I63 energizes the operating coil I12 of the relay, from the secondary of the transformer HI, and closure of the relay contact I69 completes the circuit for the motor 55 from the supply conductor I10, through the relay contact I69, through the cable conductor I26, the brush I29, the ring I32, the conductor I42, the reversing switch I86, the part I64 of the field winding'ot the motor (when the reversing switch is in the position shown in Figure 12) to the conductor I43,.the' ring I39, the brush I30, the cable conductor I21 to the supply conductor I68. The motor then rotates in such direction that the gear 10, in cooperation with the rack 1I, moves the car upwardly along the inclined portion 29 of the rail means. It will be evident from an inspection of Figure 7 in particular, that when the car is on an inclined portion of the rail means, the roller 84, in cooperation with the guide rail means 34, will prevent tilting of the car in the plane of the rail means 28. As the car moves upwardly along the rail means 28, the electric cable I22 will unwind from the drum I2I and be laid on the stairs, the steel cable I meanwhile being taken up from the stairs and wound onto the auxiliary drum I44.

When the car reaches the horizontal portion 30 of the rail means 28, and before the leveling roller 92 comes into action, the roller I00, engaging underneath the rail 98a provided by the Z-bar 99a, will assume the duty of the leveling, roller 92 for a short distance until the car reaches a position in which the leveling roller 92 rides on top of the guide rail means 34. The car, still in the vertical position, then rounds the horizontal curved portion 30 of the rail means 28 and continues in a vertical position up the inclined portion 3I along the second flight of stairs, and then continues, still in the vertical position, from the inclined portion 3I to the horizontal straight portion 32 at the second floor level, 25, to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. The Z-bar 99 of course serves the same purpose as the Z-bar 99a, as hereinbefore described.

It will be evident that the construction and arrangement of the apparatus is such that the car is maintained in a vertical position throughout its travel, tilting in both the planes of the rail means and laterally thereof being prevented by cooperation of the parts.

The car continues in motion along the rail means 28 as long as the operator maintains the push button I63 closed. When the operator reaches a desired point in the travel of the car, he releases the push button I63, thereby permitting the relay contact I69 to open, cutting oil current from the motor 55, whereupon the motor and the car stop. If the operator should continue I to hold the push button I63 closed when the car has reached the upper limit of its travel as shown in Figure 2, long enough so that the angle end 2I4 of the actuating member 2I3 strikes the bumper 2I6a, thereby applying the brake I18 and operating the reversing switch I66, and still continues to hold the push button I68 closed, the motor 55 will operate in a reverse direction, and the car will move on the rail means 28 toward the lower limit of its travel. The reverse is of course true at the lower limit of travel of the car. If the operator has released the push button I63 when the car has reached the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, but before the brake I18 and reversing switch I66 have been operated by engagement with the bumper 2I6a the car will of course stop, but if the operator later desires to go down the stairway on the car, he need only press the push button I63, whereupon the car will move toward the bumper at its upper limit of travel so as to cause operation of the brake and the reversing switch and then the. motor will reverse and the car will move in the desired supply with current either the part 54, or the part IE5 of the field winding, depending on the position of the switch.

The car may also be caused to operateby closure of one of the additional push buttons I74,- I15 which also serve to energize the operating coil H2 of the relay. The buttons I14, I15, may, if desired, be located at the head and foot of the stairs respectively.

Since the axis of the guide roller 84 is displaced horizontally from the common axis of the gear 10 and the Wheel 19 (viewing the elevator car in plan), and if this displacement is of sufiicient amount, it is desirable, where the rail means 28 iscurved, as in the portion 30, that the rail means be so constructed that this displacement be compensated for. One way in which this may be done is to begin the bend in the guide rail means beyond the beginning of the bend of the I-beam means a distance determined by the amount of the aforesaid displacement. That is, as one proceeds upwardly along the rail means and reaches the horizontal arcuate portion 30, the arc of the I-bea'm means begins first and later the guide rail means 34 the aforesaid common axis will be continuously directed substantially toward the center of the arc defining the general are of the I-beam means.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiment ofmy invention provides a new and .improved elevator, and accordingly, accomplishes the principal and other objects of my invention. On the other hand, it also will'be obvious to those skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiment of my invention may be variously changed and'modified, or features thereof, singly or collectively, embodied in other. combinations than those illustrated, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or sacrificingall of the advantages thereof, and that accordingly, the disclosure herein is illustrative only, and my invention is not limited thereto.

Iclaim: v

1. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: rail means constructed and arranged to support a car; and means forsupporting said rail means, said supporting means comprising a plurality of clamp means respectively engaging said rail means and being so constructed and arranged that the inclination of said rail means is adjustableto correspondtothe slope of the stairs.

2. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: rail means, constructed and arranged to support a car; and means for supporting said rail means from the stairs, said supporting means including a plurality of clamp means, each clamp means comprising a pair of clamp elements adapted to grip said rail means, and each clamp means comprising also pivot means mountable on the stairs, said' pivot means being so constructed and arranged that said pivot means adjustably supports said clamp elements.

3.- An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: a car; rail means constructed and arranged to support said car; means for supporting said rail means from the stairs; an electric motor mounted on said car; means whereby said electric motor is adapted to move said car on said rail means; a rotatable drum mounted on said car; an electric cable on said drum; means electrically connecting the drum end of said cable to said electric motor; and means, including anchoring means for thefree end of said cable, so constructed and arranged that as said car moves on said rail means said cable will wind onto or unwind from.

means from the stairs; an electric motor mounted. 1

so constructed and arranged that the direction in which said motor is adapted to rotate is automatically reversed when said car reaches a limit oftravel on said rail means; and manually operable means, on said car, for operating said I reversing means independently of the position of said car on said rail means.

5. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: a car; rail means constructed and arranged to support said car; means for supporting said rail means from the stairs; an electric motor mounted on said car; means whereby said electric motor is adapted to move said car on said rail means; electric conductor means for supplying power to said motor; means, including a control switch mounted on said car, constructed and arranged to control the supply of power to said motor; reversing means, including a reversing switch, so constructed and arranged that the direction in which said motor is adapted to rotate is reversed when said reversing switch is operated; brake means, for reducing the speed of said motor; and common means for applying said brake means and for operating said reversing switch.

6. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: a car; rail means constructed and arranged to support said car; means for supporting said rail means from the stairs; said rail means including a rack extending longitudinally of saidrail means and including also .a rail portion extending longitudinally of said rail 'means, said rack and said rail portion being disposed diagonally from each other with respect to aplane transverse to said rail means said rack being at ill) including a spur gear cooperable with said rack and also including a roller cooperable with said rail portion; said spur gear and said roller and said rail means being relatively so constructed and arranged that tilting of said car in a plane transverse to said rail means is prevented.

7. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: a car; rail means constructed and arranged to support said car; means for supporting said rail means from the stairs; said rail means including a rack extending longitudinally of said rail means and a rail portion extending longitudinally of said rail means, said rack and said rail portion being disposed diagonally from each other with respect to a plane transverse to said rail means; said car including a spur gear cooperable with said rack and also including a roller cooperable with said rail portion, said spur gear and said roller being so constructed and arranged that their axes are in approximate alinement; said spur gear and said roller and said rail means being relatively so constructed and arranged that tilting of said car in a plane transverse to said rail means is prevented; and said rail means and said car comprising means prevent ing tilting of said car in the plane of said rail means.

8. In combination with stairs comprising at least two successive flights of stairs, said flights being disposed in vertical planes at an angle to each other; an elevator car having a platform; rail means disposed longitudinally of said stairs and following the general contour thereof; means supporting said rail means from said stairs; means whereby said car is rollable along said rail means; and said car and said rail means comprising means so constructed and arranged that said car is maintained in such position that said platform is horizontal irrespective of the position of said car along said rail means.

9. -In combination: an elevator car having a platform; inclined rail means; means for supporting said rail means; said supporting means being so constructed and arranged that the inclination of said rail means is adjustable; means whereby said car is rollable along said rail means; and said car and said rail means comprising means so constructed and arranged that said car is adjustable to bring said platform to a horizontal position irrespective of the inclination of said rail means within the limits of adjustment of said supporting means.

10. In combination: an elevator car having a platform; rail means comprising an inclined main portion rising to and joined to a horizontal main portion; means whereby said car is rollable along said rail portions; said rail means including also guide rail means having an inclined portion above and parallel to said main inclined portion, said inclined portion of said guide rail means rising to and being joined to a horizontal portion of said guide rail means disposed above said horizontal main portion a materially greater amount than is said inclined guide rail portion above said inclined main portion; roller means mounted on said car and cooperable with said guide rail means; and said guide rail means and said roller means being relatively so constructed and arranged that said car is maintained in such position that said platform is horizontal irrespective of the position of said car along said rail means.

11. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: rail means constructed and arranged to support a car, said rail means having collateral margins constructed and arranged for disposition in the general plane of the slope of the stairs: and means for supporting said rail means, said supporting means comprising a plurality of clamp means respectively engaging said margins and being so constructed and arranged that the inclination of said rail means is adjustable to correspond to the slope of the stairs.

12. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: rail means constructed and arranged to support a car, said rail means having collateral margins constructed and arranged for disposition in the general plane of the slope of the stairs; and means for supporting said rail means, said supporting means comprising a plurality of clamp means, each clamp means comprising a pair of clamp elements respectively engaging said margins and projecting downwardly from said margins, said supporting means being so constructed and arranged that the inclination of said rail means is adjustable to correspond to the slope of the stairs.

13. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: rail means, constructed and arranged to support a car; and means for supporting said rail means from the stairs, said supporting means including a plurality of clamp means, each clamp means comprising a pair of clamp elements adapted to grip said rail means, and each clamp means comprising also pivot means mountable on the stairs, said pivot means and said clamp elements being relatively so constructed and arranged that said pivot means and said clamp elements are relatively movable only in the general vertical longitudinal plane of the rail means.

14. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: a car; rail means constructed and arranged to support said car; means for supporting said rail means from the stairs; an electric motor mounted on said ca'r; means whereby said electric motor is adapted to move said car on said rail means; a first rotatable drum; an electric cable Wound on said first drum in one direction; means for electrically connecting one end of said cable to said electric motor; means for electrically connecting the other end of said electric cable to a source of current; a second drum rotatable with said first drum; an auxiliary cable wound on said second drum in a direction opposite from said first named direction; and means so constructed and arranged that as said car moves on said rail means one of said cables will wind onto its drum and the other of said cables will unwind from its drum dependent upon the direction of movement of said car.

15. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: a car; rail means constructed and arranged to support said car; means for supporting said rail means from the stairs; an electric motor mounted on said car; means whereby said electric motor is adapted to move said car on said rail means; a first rotatable drum mounted on said car; an electric cable wound on said first drum in one direction; means electrically connecting the drum end of said electric cable to said electric motor; a second drum rotatable with said first drum; an auxiliary cable wound on said second drum in a direction opposite from said first named direction; means anchoring the free end of said electric cable near one limit of travel of said car; and means anchoring said auxiliary cable near the other limit of travel of said car.

16. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: a car; rail means constructed and arranged to support said car; means for supporting said rail means from the stairs; an electric motor; means whereby said electric motor is adapted-to move said car on said rail means; a single control switch mounted on said car; and electrical connection means for controlling the supply of power to said motor, so constructed and arranged that predetermined manipulation of said single control'switch serves to cause said motor to move said car in a predetermined direction and to cause said motor to move said car in a reverse direction-upon reaching a predetermined pointin its travel.

17. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: a car; rail means constructed and arranged to support said car; means for supporting said rail means from the stairs; an electric motor; means whereby said electric motor is adapted to move said car on said rail means; a single control switch mounted on said car; and electrical connection means, including a reversing switch mounted on said car, for controlling the supply of power to said motor; said electrical connection means being so constructed and arranged that predetermined manipulation'of said single control switch serves to cause said motor to move said car in a direction predetermined by the position of said reversing switch and so that when said car reaches a predetermined point in its travel said reversing switch is automatically operated to its reverse position.

18. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: a car rail means constructed and arranged to support said car; means for supporting said rail means from the stairs; an electric motor mounted on said car; means whereby said electric motor is adapted to move said car on said rail means; electric conductor means for supplying power to said motor; means, including a control switch mounted on said car, constructed and arranged to control the supply of power to said motor; reversing means, including a reversing switch mounted on said car, so constructed and arranged that the direction in which said motor is adapted to rotate is reversed when said reversing switch is operated; brake means, for reducing the speed of said motor; common means for applying said brake means and for operating said reversing switch; and means for automatically actuating said common means when said car reaches a limit of its travel. v

19. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: a car; rail means constructed and arranged to support said car means for supporting said rail means from the stairs; an electric motor mounted on said car; means whereby said electric motor is adapted to move said car on said rail means; electric conductor means for supplying power to said motor; means, including a control switch mounted on said can constructed and arranged to control the supply. of power to said motor; reversing means, including a reversing switch mounted on said car, so constructed and arranged that the direction in which said motor is adapted to rotate is reversed when said reversing switch is operated; brake means, for reducing the speed of said motor; common means for applying said brake means and for operating said reversing .switch; means for automatically actuating said common means when said car reaches alimit of its travel on said rail means; and manually operable means, on said car, for actuating said common means independentlyof the'position of said car on said railmeans.

20. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: acar; rail meansconstructed and arranged to aaraaaa support said car; means for supporting said rail means from the stairs; said rail means including a rack extending longitudinally of said rail means; said car including a spur. gear disposed above said rack and constructed and arranged for cooperation with s d rack; said car including a grooved roller spaced horizontally from said spur gear; and said rail means including a flange ex-' disposed longitudinally of the stairs at a side thereof; and said car including a supporting structure and a chair carried by said structure and facing in a direction transversely of said rail means, said chair comprising a seat disposed over the top of said structure, said seat being hinged at a rear portion to said structure and being adapted to rest on said structure intermediate the front and rear portions of said seat.

22. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: an elevator car; rail means constructed and arranged to support said car, said rail means being disposed longitudinally of the stairs at a side thereof; said car including a supporting structure and a chair carried by said structure and facing in a direction transversely of said rail means, said chair comprising a seat disposed over the top of said structure, said seat being hinged at a rear portion to said structure and being adapted to' rest on said structure intermediate the front and rear portions of said seat; a foot rest pivotally connected to said structure; and linkage means pivotally connecting said foot rest and said seat.

'23. An elevator, comprising: a car constructed and arranged to roll on rail means; inclined rail means constructed and arranged to rollably support said car; an electric motor, having a stator, and an armature having'a shaft; power transmitting means mounted at one end of said armature shaft; means adapted to transmit power from said power transmitting means to saidrail means to move said car on said rail means; and means, including a plate disposed in a direction transversely of said armature shaft, constructed and arranged to support said stator from said car.

24. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: a car; rail means constructed and arranged to support said car; means for supporting said rail means from the stairs; an electric motor mounted on said car; means whereby said electric motor is adapted to move said car on said rail means; an electric cable; means anchoring an end of said cable to a relatively fixed point, said cable extending from said fixed point to said car and having its other end electrically connected to said electric motor on said car; and means so constructed and arranged that as said car moves toward said fixed point said cable is progressively taken up and stowed on said car and as said car moves away from said fixed point said cable is progressively payed out from said car.

25. An elevator for use with stairs, comprising: an elevator car including a frame and a platform carried thereby, said frame having an aperture Eli structed and arranged for cooperation with said guide rail means to maintain said car in a predetermined position with respect to said main rail means.

26. In combination: an elevator car having a platform; rail means comprising a' main portion and a guide portion having a fixed relation with respect to each other; means for supporting said rail means at a selected inclination; wheel means on said car rollable along said main portion of said rail means; said wheel means being so constructed and arranged that said car is swingable about the axis of said wheel means in the general vertical plane of said inclined rail means; means mounted on said car, cooperating with said guide portion of said rail means, constructed and arranged to positively prevent such swinging of said car; and said cooperating means being so constructed and arranged that it is adjustable with respect to said car to enable adjustment of said platform to a horizontal position irrespective of the selected inclination of said rail means within predetermined limits.

27. In combination: an elevator car; main rail means comprising a rectilinear portion joined to an arcuate portion; wheel means whereby said car is rollable along said main rail portions, said wheel means being so constructed and arranged that its plane of rotation is fixed with respect to said car, and so that its axis of rotation is at right angles to said rail means when said car is on said rectilinear main portion; guide rail means disposed longitudinally of said main rail means and having a rectilinear portion joined to an arcuate portion; means, mounted on said car, cooperating with said guide rail means; and said guide rail means and said means mounted on said car being relatively so constructed and arranged that when said wheel means reaches said arcuate portion of said main rail means said wheel means will continue to roll on said main rail means and said car will be so positioned as it travels around said arcuate portion of said main rail means that the axis of said wheel means will be continuously directed substantially toward the center of the arc defining said arcuate portion of said main rail means.

28. In combination: rail means comprising a main portion and a guide portion; means for supporting said rail means longitudinally of stairs; an elevator car comprising wheel means rollable along said main portion; said car including a frame carried by said wheel means and extending upwardly from the axis of said wheel means; said wheel means being so constructed and arranged that said frame is swingable about the axis of said wheel means in the general vertical plane of said rail means; said car including a load-carrying platform mounted on said frame above the axis of said wheel means; said frame having an aperture through which said guide portion extends; and said car and said guide portion comprising means so constructed and arranged that such swinging of said frame is positively prevented and said frame is maintained in such position that said platform is horizontal irrespective of the position of said car along said rail means.

29. In combination: rail means comprising a main portion and a guide portion; means for supporting said rail means longitudinally of stairs; an elevator car comprising wheel means rollable along said main portion; said car including a frame having spaced portions providing an aperand a single wheel ture through which said rail means extends; said frame being carried by said wheel means and extending upwardly from the axis of said wheel means; said wheel means being so constructed and arranged that said frame is swingable about the axis of said wheel means in the general vertical plane of said rail means; said car including a load-carrying platform mounted on said frame above the axis of said wheel means; and said car and said guide portion comprising means so constructed and arranged that such swinging of said frame is positively prevented and said frame is maintained in such position that said platform is horizontal irrespective of the position of said car along said rail means. i

30. In combination: rail means comprising a main portion and a guide portion; means forsupporting said rail means longitudinally of stairs; an elevator car comprising wheel means rollable along said main portion; said car including a frame carried by said wheel means and extending upwardly from the axis of said wheel means; said wheel means being so constructed and arranged that said frame is swingable about the axis of said wheel means in the general vertical plane of said rail means; said car including a load-carrying platform mounted on said frame above the axis of said wheel means; an electric motor mounted on said car; driving means whereby said motor causes said car to roll on said rail means; said frame having an aperture through which said guide portion extends; and said car and said guide portion comprising means so constructed and arranged that such swinging of said frame is positively prevented and said frame is maintained in such position that said platform is horizontal irrespective of the position of said car along said rail means.

31. In combination: rail means comprising a main portion and a guide portion; said main portion comprising a rack and a rail; means for supporting said rail means longitudinally of stairs; an elevator car comprising wheel means rollable along said main portion; said wheel means comprising a single gear cooperable with said rack cooperable with said rail; said car including a frame having spaced portions providing an aperture through which said rail means extends; said frame being carried by said wheel means and extending upwardly from the axis of said wheel means; said wheel means being so constructed and arranged that said frame is swingable about the axis of said wheel means in the general vertical plane of said rail means; said car including a load-carrying platform mounted on said frame above the axis of said wheel means; and said car and said guide portion comprising means so constructed and arranged that such swinging of said frame is positively prevented and said frame is maintained in such position that said platform is horizontal irrespective of the position of said car along said rail means.

32. In combination: rail means comprising a main portion and a guide portion; said main portion comprising a rack and a rail; means for supporting said rail means longitudinally of stairs; an elevator car comprising wheel means rollable along said main portion; said wheel means comprising a single gear cooperable with said rack and a single wheel cooperable with said rail; said car including a frame having spaced portions providing an aperture through which said rail means extends; said frame being carried by said wheel means and extending upwardly from the prevented and said frame is maintained in such position that said platform is horizontal irrespective of the position of said car along said rail means.

33. An elevator for use with stairs. comprising! axis oi. said wheel means; said wheel means hean elevator car; inclined rail means including a main portion and a guide portion; means whereby said car is rollable along said main portion; and-means constructed and arranged for cooperation with said guide portion to maintain said car in a predetermined position with respect to said main rail means, said cooperating means comprising a member having a portion engageable with said guide portion, and means so adjustably fixing said member on said car that said member portion is adjustably movable, with respect to said car in the general vertical plane of said car and said rail means, in a direction at an angle with respect to the inclination of said rail means.

WALLACE E. CHENEY- 

